Faithful Conversations #51

Introduction to Readers: 
On Wednesday, millions of Christians across the globe will participate in the imposition of ashes. (And, by the way, Ash Wednesday coincides with Valentine’s Day this year, not a common thing! This last happened in 2018 and will next happen in 2029). This marks the beginning of Lent in our liturgical calendar, occurring 46 days before Easter Sunday. (Note the readings for Ash Wednesday listed below). The practice of marking foreheads with ashes in the shape of a cross symbolizing penance, humility, and mortality has its roots in early Christian history. Today, Ash Wednesday is observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and several other Protestant denominations. It’s interesting to note that Luther favored continuing the traditions of Ash Wednesday, though more radical Lutherans of the time did not, believing it to be too “Catholic.” (If you want a good primer on why Lutherans participate in this tradition, check out this excellent summary!) 

As we begin our journey through Lent, I hope to explore traditions associated with the time before Easter for a richer understanding of our heritage. Note that I occasionally offer links within my posts for further information (italicized and a different color). My reflections for Lent 1 will focus on the Gospel reading from Mark. I have also posted the New Testament reading from 1 Peter with corresponding questions drawn from resources provided by ELCA website. Thanks for your continued interest in Bible study! 

Readings for Ash Wednesday (14 February)
Joel 2: 1-2, 12-17 or Isaiah 58: 1-12
Psalm 51: 1-17
2 Corinthians 5: 20b-6:10
Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-21

Readings for Lent 1 (Sunday 18 February) 
Genesis 9: 8-17
Psalm 25: 1-10
1 Peter 3: 18-22
Mark 1: 9-15

The New Testament Reading for Lent 1: 1 Peter 3: 18-22
¹⁸ For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, ¹⁹ in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, ²⁰ who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight lives, were saved through water. ²¹ And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you—not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.

Questions for Reflection:

1. The book of 1 Peter was written to exiles (1 Peter 1:1) and aliens (1 Peter 2:11). These were people who were given only limited legal and social rights. They experienced discrimination and were viewed as strange or different. Who are the exiles and aliens in our society today?  What communities support them? 
2. Being a Christian does not insulate us from suffering. Christ, the righteous one, also suffered (verses 18-19). The just Jesus, in fact, suffered for all, including the “spirits in prison” (verse 20). What do you think that phrase — “spirits in prison” — means?  
3. Verse 21 is a good reminder of our baptism. If someone asked you to explain what your baptism means to you, how would you respond? (Here is a good refresher from the Small Catechism regarding the meaning of baptism). 

The Gospel Reading for Lent 1:
⁹ In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove upon him. ¹¹ And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.” ¹² And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. ¹³ He was in the wilderness forty days, tested by Satan, and he was with the wild beasts, and the angels waited on him.¹⁴ Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God ¹⁵ and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

This Week’s Reflection: “Momento mori” (remember death)     

Lent has always been my favorite season of the church year, a time to reset our spiritual practices. The famous admonition from Marcus Aurelius has been on my mind this week: “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” That’s powerful and seems entirely consistent with the Christian initiation of Lent drawn from Genesis 3:19: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” (Sidenote: Telling people that Lent, a period of time when we are encouraged to reflect on our mortality, is my favorite church season, reminds me that I was raised by a father who majored in Philosophy and a man who operated with a good deal of stoical thinking — maybe it started there. He often reminded me, “life is hard, it’s how you react to it that matters.” My mother, also a closet stoic loved to say “Well, it could have been worse,” when I came home complaining about some difficulty I encountered!). 

Why do we start the Lenten season by reflecting on our inevitable death? That seems dark, especially in a 21st Century culture obsessed with avoiding death and the pain associated with it. More and more, it seems to me in our secular age, people avoid funerals, for example, as too somber, too sad. That’s unfortunate and not in line with our theology. Our God liberates us from the fear of death, and allows us to live within that realization, and what a glorious thing that is! The story that unfolds over the next 40-plus days reminds us of that truth.  

The Gospel reading for Sunday is vintage Mark — he packs a lot into seven verses! In and through it all, we are reminded of Lent. We witness the baptism of Jesus, we hear the voice of God identifying His Son, and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We learn of Jesus’ 40-day trial in the wilderness, John’s arrest, and the start of our Lord’s ministry in Galilee. Like Jesus, in our baptism, we receive God’s Spirit and are liberated from sin and death (verses 9-10), though not from suffering. Like Jesus, we face trials and testing — we confront Satan but are attended to by angels! (verses 12-13). And we walk forward in ministry, deliberately and with courage, spreading the good news of Christ’s return (verses 14-15).

May God bless your Lenten journey in 2024!   

Soli Deo Gloria

Prayer (honoring martin luther who died in 1546) 

Note: 18 February is the day we commemorate Martin Luther (“Lesser Festivals and Commemorations” as found on pages 15-17 of the ELW (our hymnal since 2006). The suggested prayer for “Renewers of the Church” is found on page 60.   

Almighty God, we praise you for your servant Martin Luther, through whom you have called the church to its tasks and renewed its life. Raise up in our own day teachers and prophets inspired by your Spirit, whose voices will give strength to your church and proclaim the reality of your reign, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen. 

Announcement Regarding Our Lectionary Discussions:

Please join us after church on Sundays (10:45-11:15) for some discussion of the week’s readings, and other topics. Invite a friend! No prior knowledge is necessary and you will not be put on the spot — just a simple and formal exchange among believers.  ALL ARE WELCOME! 

And . . . .

Update on “Faithful Conversations: Resilient Voices”

We are a church rooted in strong traditions, while at the same time, attempting to remain resilient and relevant in our ever-changing world. We feel strongly that we need to garner the wisdom of the older generation as we move forward and work to make cross-generational connections to strengthen our future. Starting in February of 2024, we initiated the “Resilient Voices” project as part of our Faithful Conversations adult education and Bible study initiatives. The purpose of Resilient Voices will be to document faith journeys or stories of many of our parishioners. Let me know if you are interested in participating! 

And, THANKS to Rollie Lee and Jerry Humphrey who shared some of their faith wisdom with our confirmands on Sunday 11 February! You planted seeds!